Page:The Dramas of Aeschylus (Swanwick).djvu/390

320 Interring mine own brother:—shame is none

To cancel fealty and brave the State.

Dread tie the common womb from which we sprang,—

Of wretched mother born and hapless sire.

Wherefore my soul, do thou take willing share

In woes he willed not; living, aid the dead

With sisterly affection; his dear flesh

No hollow-bellied wolves shall piecemeal rend;

Let none suppose it;—woman though I be,

Tomb and interment will I scheme for him:

Ay, bearing earth in fold of flaxen robe,

Him will I shroud;—let none suppose aught else.

Courage! Effectual means will fail me not.

I warn thee not to disobey the State.

I warn thee publish no vain words to me.

Harsh is the people just escaped from harm.

Harsh let them be; unearthed he shall not lie.

Whom the State loathes wilt honour with a tomb?

Ay, for the gods have not dishonoured him.